Returning to the Pits after qualifying

[theblackangus]

Hello all!
I remember a few years back that a rule was introduced that states (something like)- Drivers must return their car to the pits after qualifying.

It would seem that Louis was not able to do that today, and by the margin he beat everyone else it would almost seem that he was not able to return to the pits because of the fuel load. (Not too technical there sorry.) If that were the case the car would be ruled to light I would imagine.

So I'm confused at why no one seems to be questioning this?
If I were the other teams, I'd short fuel and "have problems" all the time to make sure I was as fast as possible every quali. So this seems to be a case where the rules should be enforced.

Anyone else have thoughts on this or a different perspective?


Cheers all!

[GrizzleBoy]

Legal limit to have in the car is 1L and 1.3L was recovered from the car according to Martin Whitmarsh so I'm not sure underfueling penalties can be given.

[Nando]

Is there are rule stating that you have to get back to the pits on your own or does the rule simply state that you must have 1L of fuel in the car?

Anyone have the rule so we can see?

[ajdavison2]

I cant remember the exact rule but I'm almost certain it states that a car must return back to the pits under its own power.

[RicME85]

Under the rules, drivers are supposed to return to parc ferme under their own power and with a minimum of one-litre of fuel on board to be able to supply a sample to the FIA.

It is not acceptable for drivers to stop early simply to save petrol for the sample - because that would give them a competitive advantage as they could run with less fuel, and therefore less weight, during their qualifying lap.

Following a directive issued at the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix, after Lewis Hamilton and McLaren were given a reprimand and a $10,000 fine for stopping deliberately on a slowing down lap after qualifying to save fuel, the FIA has made it clear that only genuine technical problems would be acceptable.

[Nando]

Interesting..

Technically he´s breaking the first sentence.

But the other one you could make a case that he did not stop to save petrol as it has been proven the car had more then enough fuel to make it to the pits.

Question is just what solid excuse Mclaren will have to get themselves out of this one.

[ajdavison2]

well then that's pretty clear, unless he has a technical problem and that was the reason for stopping then he will take a penalty. If he does have a technical problem then it will most likely be gearbox or engine; so still might take a penalty, that's how I read it anyway.

[Nando]

I think i read the engine and gearbox was fine.

What sort of excuse could Mclaren use here?

[n smikle]

well then that's pretty clear, unless he has a technical problem and that was the reason for stopping then he will take a penalty. If he does have a technical problem then it will most likely be gearbox or engine; so still might take a penalty, that's how I read it anyway.

Penalty for actually going out there and qualifying? And you have guys that not even went out to set a time?! Ridiculous.

[wunderkind]

Seriously, McLaren needs to stop trying too hard and kill their own chances.

This is just pathetic. Someone at McLaren should be fired over this. I hope it wasn't Sam Michael's call.

[hardingfv32]

The team says the car was fine and that the issue was in the garage. Sounds like they found after the start of Q3 that they had not installed the correct amount of fuel and decided it was best to stop on track, confuse the issue of fuel level and take their chances with the stewards.

Brian

[zyphro]

The team says the car was fine and that the issue was in the garage. Sounds like they found after the start of Q3 that they had not installed the correct amount of fuel and decided it was best to stop on track, confuse the issue of fuel level and take their chances with the stewards.

Brian

Wow, that's very amateurish.

[zyphro]

well then that's pretty clear, unless he has a technical problem and that was the reason for stopping then he will take a penalty. If he does have a technical problem then it will most likely be gearbox or engine; so still might take a penalty, that's how I read it anyway.

Penalty for actually going out there and qualifying? And you have guys that not even went out to set a time?! Ridiculous.

Thing is, you have to conduct within the rules and regs. If McLaren did mis-calculate the fuel then, they have nobody to blame but themselves.

[JimClarkFan]

well then that's pretty clear, unless he has a technical problem and that was the reason for stopping then he will take a penalty. If he does have a technical problem then it will most likely be gearbox or engine; so still might take a penalty, that's how I read it anyway.

Penalty for actually going out there and qualifying? And you have guys that not even went out to set a time?! Ridiculous.

Thing is, you have to conduct within the rules and regs. If McLaren did mis-calculate the fuel then, they have nobody to blame but themselves.

This exactly.

I feel sorry for Hamilton, couple of times this year bad luck has hit him. I feel pissed that he is now at the back of the grid, I wonder how he feels.

It's a joke.

[ringo]

I guess because Button went out in q2. Whitmarsh has a hand in this.
As a driver i don't see how hamilton can win a championship with a team doing everything to prevent him from getting results.